Rohit Sharma was given the ultimate honour by the Mumbai Cricket Assocation (MCA) and gave an emotional speech as the stand by with his name was unveiled at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday (May 16). The Rohit Sharma stand was seen publicly for the first time in a special program held at Mumbai's iconic venue in a program that also saw the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Wadekar stand being inaugurated in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Rohit's family, including his wife were present to witness the huge moment in his career. Infact, it was Maharashta CM Fadanvis alongside Rohit's mother and father who conducted the inauguration.

Rohit and ex-Indian captain Wadekar have joined a rare list of Mumbai and Indian cricket legends to have a stand named after their name at one of world cricket's greatest cricket venues. Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, ,Vinoo Mankad, and Dilip Vengsarkar are other cricket stars to have a stand named after them.

Rohit gave an emotional speech and expressed his desire to play for India in an ODI at the venue. The Indian ODI skipper reflected on his career and stated that it was a surreal achievement to get such a honour especially when he is still playing.

“Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has come here to make this event so special. What is going to happen today, I never dreamt of it. As a kid growing up, wanting to play for Mumbai, for India, no one thinks about things like these. For me, it’s like any other sportsman who wants to give their best. Serve the nation, the country as much as possible. While doing that you try and achieve a lot of things, A lot of milestones are created but something like this is really special. Wankhede is such an iconic stadium, there are so many memories here," said Rohit while addressing.

“For me to have my name amongst the greats of the game and the world’s top political leaders, I cannot express what the feelings are. For that I am really really grateful, honoured and very thankful to all MCA members and not to forget the Apex Council Member. For me to be honored, while I am playing makes it special. I have retired from two formats but I am still playing one format. It’ll be a surreal feeling when I come here and play on the 21st against the Delhi Capitals, representing Mumbai Indians. It'll be a very special feeling.

"It will even be more special when India plays whichever team here, that’ll make it even more special. To get this honour in front of my mom, dad, my brother and his wife and my wife. I am so so grateful for all the people in my life, for all that they have sacrificed. Of course my team Mumbai Indians are here, who are waiting for my speech to get over so they can start training," Rohit added.

Rohit will play for the first time at the venue in front of the stand of his name in Mumbai Indians' last IPL 2025 home match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 21st.

Rohit will have to wait to play for India at the venue as none of India's ODI's scheduled in the 2024-25 season are in Mumbai.

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